“I’m so exhausted and I feel so alone. I don’t know how much longer I can do this.”

“My family and I have to work in shifts to make sure that mom and dad are cared for and have what they need.”

“I refuse to let my husband go into a nursing home. I will take care of him here at home until the end.”

“No one told me it would be this rewarding AND this hard.”

Every day, Landmark team members bear witness to the stories of our family caregivers. Caregivers are the unseen and unsung heroes that often must sacrifice their jobs, relationships, finances and even their own physical and mental health care needs to support their loved ones. From the adult daughter who does her best to manage her father’s care from a distance to the husband that has been the primary caregiver to his spouse ever since her debilitating stroke, we see the physical and emotional challenges of providing care to a loved one.

When caregivers do not have training, support, and opportunities for rest and self-care, their well-being and quality of life suffer. More than ever, we need to better recognize and support family caregivers who provide the overwhelming majority of long-term care in the U.S. (The National Alliance for Caregiving, 2022)

Landmark social workers are ready and willing to provide the guidance and resources needed for family caregivers to sustain their complex roles. Some examples include exploring options for caregiving or respite care through state and community programs, directing caregivers to caregiver support groups and classes, and helping patients and family members consider their long-term care options.

November is the National Family Caregivers month. Celebrating Family Caregivers enables all of us to:

• Raise awareness of family caregiver issues
• Celebrate the efforts of family caregivers
• Educate family caregivers about self-identification
• Increase support for family caregivers(Caregiver Action Network, 2022)

It is likely that nearly every single American will either be a caregiver, need a caregiver, or support a caregiver at some point in their lifetimes. Some of us will experience all three roles. Think about who may be impacted by caregiving in your own life and consider learning more about how you can make a difference!

For more information please visit: https://www.caregiveraction.org/resources/agencies-and-organizations or contact your Landmark social worker.

References

Caregiver Action Network. (2022). National Family Caregivers Month. Retrieved from Caregiver Action Network: https://www.caregiveraction.org/national-family-caregivers-month

The National Alliance for Caregiving. (2022, September 21). Just Released: The First Ever National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers. Retrieved from NAC: https://www.caregiving.org/just-released-the-first-ever-national-strategy-to-support-family-caregivers/